With Sen. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres running in the Democratic attorney general primary, this seat representing parts of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Palm Beach County is up for grabs. Both the Democratic and Republican primaries have drawn serious contenders, making the battle for this seat one to watch, in the primaries as well as the general election in November.
Aronberg’s bid for attorney general should receive a boost due to the contested Democratic primary for the seat he is vacating.
Rep. Kevin Rader of Boynton Beach appears to have the edge for the Democratic nomination, but it is not decisive by any means. Rader has raised more than $225,000, loaned his campaign $10,000 and spent more than $99,000. But he faces a serious competitor for the nomination in attorney Pete Burkett, who ran for the House in 2006. Burkett has raised more than $151,000 and spent more than $80,000 so far in the race.
The Republican primary is also shaping up to be an interesting contest.
Longtime Wellington Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Lizbeth Benacquisto has managed an impressive campaign so far, winning the backing of a good deal of the Republican establishment, including endorsements from Senate President Jeff Atwater, incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos and legendary former Gov. Claude Kirk. Benacquisto has raised more than $288,000 and gathered more than $20,000 through in-kind donations. She has spent more than $122,000.
Former Rep. Sharon Merchant is also running in the GOP primary with the backing of a number of prominent Republicans, including Sen. Paula Dockery and Sen. Alex Villalobos. Merchant has not been able to keep pace with Benacquisto’s fund-raising, but her results have been solid. She has raised more than $145,000 in cash and more than $12,000 through in-kind donations. She has spent more than $78,000 so far in the election.
Pilot Mike Lameyer, a bowling coach and former Marine who is a backer of the James Madison Institute, will have a hard time catching up to Benacquisto and Merchant for the Republican nomination. He’s raised a paltry $2,250, loaned the campaign $400 and spent more than $2,400.
While Rader and Benacquisto are favorites, neither is close to sewing up their respective party’s nomination, let alone the general election. There are four candidates who can conceivably win this seat -- making it one of the more interesting Senate contests in the state.
